A winner and giving in to Garmin

First, let’s get to the business at hand–my CSN Stores giveaway. I had 108 entries and random.org generated number 73 as my winner. That means that Samantha over at Feet in Motion is the winner. Congrats Samantha–email me and I’ll get you hooked up with your CSN card!

In other news–I’m selling out. I have always been a bit of a purist (probably a snobby one at that) when it comes to running. I don’t use ipods, I don’t use heart rate monitors and I’ve eschewed all the new GPS watches–to date. I’ve decided that with a trip to Australia on the horizon and fall marathon training upon me, it’s time to give in and try a Garmin.

Yep, just placed my order for a new Forerunner 110. This is about as basic a model as you can get–it essentially gives you pace, miles run and not much else, but that’s all I need. I know myself and there’s no way I’d get around to downloading my runs, caring about elevations, humidity levels, etc., so I’m not going to spring for the extra bells and whistles.

I am also not planning to wear it all the time. For the majority of my runs, where I know my courses/miles, I’m not going to use it. I really do believe there’s a big value in learning to run by perceived effort. I’m good at sensing my pace and I don’t want to give that up because I become a slave to my watch. Where I will use it is for marathon paced efforts, which I intend to do regularly starting in September. I’ll also use it in Australia, when I’m not going to know where the heck I am and everything will be marked in k’s–it will be nice to know I am hitting the mileage I want.

So I’ll keep you posted on how I like it–who knows? Maybe I’ll become addicted to it and you can all have the last laugh.

Hi Zippy,What? You never had a garmin before recently!?! I actually just got mine for Christmas and just used a basic Timex watch. I never paid attention to pace and ect. I am really glad that I have it now. I don't use it all of the time but I would miss it if I didn't have it:) Cheers to your new fancy garmin! You will love it:)

EEEK!!! Tell me you got the pink one? I LOVE IT! I told myself I would not wear it all the time, but I have had it for one week and one day exactly and I have worn it on every run, (shhh dont tell anyone but I even wore it on a long walk with my dog.. I was just "curious" to see how far we went

I love my Garmin(s). I'd be lost without my new 310. I use it for everything. Sometimes I bring it in the car with me and compare the speed and distance to the car GPS…. I just reread that last sentence and realized I might be extremely weird? Alright, gotta go now. My Garmin says I was in HR Zone One during that entire comment!

My friends chipped in and gave me the 405 for my Boston Birthday last year (that would be '09) and I still don't download any data – I think it would make me manic. And I don't wear it in a race…but I do like it mostly to get my mileage accurate and to get in the tempo run at the right pace. One feature I DO like it the elevation because I do (or did…whaaa) a lot of mountain training for Pikes Peak and such…it's mostly a curiosity thing than anything.

Thanks for your very dear comment..I WILL email you, a shoulder from someone who's been there would be comforting. Thanks!!

I used a cell phone GPS running tracker app (Bones in Motion) for a few years and never thought I'd get a Garmin until the guys at the place I have sport's rehab at were able to become Garmin dealers. They gave the manufacturers discount to their clients on their first order. It was too good of a deal to pass up. I have a 405CX. I download the data, but I also send that info to my PT for training purposes.

My hubby gave me a 305 for Christmas last year. As much as I love it, I wish I had something simpler. I think I would have liked the 110 better. I haven't even installed the software to download the data with and the heart rate monitor is still in the box. I use it strictly for miles and pace.

Hope you like it! I first got one because I never really knew how far I went. I tend to just run without a course in mind and don't know the distance when I stop. That's what I use it for. I've never worn it any of the races, just a regular watch there since I know the miles. I don't use the extra bells and whistles either.

I’m just like you…no gadgets. I can estimate my pace very well. I don’t even look at my watch while running. I might consider a Garmin for trail running next year. Will be interesting to hear how you find it.

I completely agree! Every runner should start out as a purist. They should all learn how to listen to their bodies and know what effort they are giving and THEN they can get all that techno' stuff is they must. For me it is too easy to become fixated on the numbers a Garmin would spit out. I would become WAY TOO goal oriented and lose the joy in my running. I do have a really old Garmin (its Hubbs from when we both ran) and I use it occassionally when I am distancing a new course but otherwise I don't need the distraction.

I am glad to read that your staying true to your purist running philosophy and making sure you don't get lost while your down under! 😉

I'll be interested to hear how you like it. I've only ever really known running with a Garmin, so I have no comparison. Funny, when you said "I won't wear it all the time," at first I thought you meant like ALL THE TIME as in to the grocery store and to get your hair cut.

Congrats to Samantha! I use my ipod often and I always use my Garmin. I think always using my Garmin has ruined my ability to run according to perceived effort and I'm not sure that's a good thing. So, I encourage you to stick to your purist ways and not use the Garmin all the time! Maybe, I'll get motivated to give up that crutch, scary!

I've bought the 305 December last year and I love it. During my run I only check my pace every now and then because on long runs I have the habit to go too slow. I'm an expert in just looking at the pace and not at time and distance. I always map my route before I go so I know when I finish my run and by that time I start looking at the distance. Still not at the time. The first time I look at that is when I stop the time.

So, can I tell you how much I love this? I don’t really care if you wear a garmin or not. I am ALL about whatever works for YOU for what you need right NOW. I am saying that I love that you aren’t afraid to go with what you need, regardless if it retracts something you’ve previously said. No reason to be a stickler, if it works for you right now, that’s all that matters. So with that said, I hope it works for you! (I really like mine).

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